Seed shelf life

A forum to learn and discuss the importance of lawn care basics
Post Reply
stez09
Posts: 96
Joined: September 28th, 2015, 1:03 pm
Location: New Ipswich, NH
Grass Type: NoMix
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Seed shelf life

Post by stez09 » April 28th, 2017, 9:02 am

Any idea how long a bag of seed will last? I bought a 50 lb bag a few years ago because I was going to overseed the entire lawn and then I discovered this site. I held off and got the yard to a great place but I killed some bentgrass last spring and wasn't able to reseed all of the spots. the seed took in September but I seeded a few spots 2 weeks ago and I have zero germination. I dropped dimension but I covered the spots with towels and drop cloths to make sure it didn't get into the soil. I've kept the seed in a cool, dry place too.

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by andy10917 » April 28th, 2017, 9:09 am

Stez, did you try using the Search function for an answer? A search with the exact terms you used ("Seed Shelf Life") turned up 45 responses.

stez09
Posts: 96
Joined: September 28th, 2015, 1:03 pm
Location: New Ipswich, NH
Grass Type: NoMix
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by stez09 » April 28th, 2017, 9:14 am

I did not but will.

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by andy10917 » April 28th, 2017, 9:17 am

That's the best way to start - c'mon back here if the searched answers don't address your question

stez09
Posts: 96
Joined: September 28th, 2015, 1:03 pm
Location: New Ipswich, NH
Grass Type: NoMix
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by stez09 » April 28th, 2017, 9:21 am

searching in cool season grasses doesn't show up as an option.


User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by andy10917 » April 28th, 2017, 9:25 am

It took me all of 3 minutes to read the headlines of the Search results and pick out the ones that were appropriate. It's not overly tough.

g-man
Posts: 501
Joined: June 29th, 2016, 9:54 am
Location: Fishers, IN
Grass Type: Mix (mostly KBG)
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by g-man » April 28th, 2017, 10:04 am

After searching, if you are in doubt of your seed, start a small pot with store bought soil and the seed. This will likely confirm your seeds are good. Even dropping some seed in a moist cotton swab in a plastic cup (like kids do for science fair projects) will tell you. If you want to be even more OCD, count the number of seed dropped (ie. 20) and the number of germinated ones to get a % of germination.

User avatar
ezael
Posts: 132
Joined: September 6th, 2016, 10:34 am
Location: Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Grass Type: Fielder, Arcadia, Merit, Quantum Leap KBG
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Seed shelf life

Post by ezael » April 29th, 2017, 1:04 pm

I know Andy has talked about increased germination rates in older seeds, might be a good thing.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests